1. DL manuals
  2. Echo
  3. Trimmer
  4. HEDGE CLIPPER
  5. Safety Manual

Echo HEDGE CLIPPER Safety Manual

Summary of HEDGE CLIPPER

  • Page 1

    Hedge clipper safety manual misuse may result in serious or fatal injuries. You must read, under- stand, and follow these safety instructions and the instructions in your operator’s manual before operating a hedge clipper. To locate your nearest echo dealer, visit our website at www.Echo-usa.Com , o...

  • Page 2: Introduction

    2 introduction warning this manual describes how to protect yourself and others from hazards related to operation of a gasoline or electric-powered hedge clipper. Before assembling, fueling, or operating your hedge clipper, you must read this safety manual and your hedge clipper operator’s manual. Y...

  • Page 3: Danger

    3 these important safety symbols and warnings are used throughout this manual, and may also appear in your operator's manual. These symbols and warnings are provided to help make you aware of potential hazards, and the precautions you must take to protect yourself and others from injury. You must re...

  • Page 4

    4 read operator's and safety manuals read manuals carefully, and follow rules for safe opera- tion. Failure to do so could result in serious or fatal injury. Wear head, eye, and hearing protection wear head, hearing, eye protection that meet ansi requirements. Wear hand protection wear heavy duty wo...

  • Page 5

    5 operate only with handle guard/do not remove hand guard (double-sided blades) do not operate without hand guard in place. Operate only with handle guard/do not remove hand guard (single-sided blades) do not operate without hand guard in place. Stop symbol indicates the “stop” position for the engi...

  • Page 6: Operator Safety

    6 operator safety danger echo hedge clippers are powerful, professional-grade tools designed to cut through bushes, hedges, shrubs, and other woody growth. When used properly, these hedge clippers save time, reduce effort, and make difficult landscaping tasks easy. If handled carelessly or used impr...

  • Page 7: Operator Safety

    7 if you are impaired in any way, or are physically unable to safely operate and control the unit, do not fuel, start, or attempt to use the unit. Personal protective equipment warning operating a power hedge clipper exposes you to sharp, fast-moving blades, powerful cutting action, flying de- bris,...

  • Page 8: Operator Safety

    8 protective clothing gloves wear sturdy work gloves to provide protection against cuts and scratches. Warning sharp blades/powerful cutting action. Work gloves and other heavy work clothing may not provide protection against serious injury if contact is made with moving blades. Contact with cutting...

  • Page 9: Operator Safety

    9 dust protection operators who are sensitive to wood dust or other common airborne allergens may need to wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling these materials while cutting. Dust masks can provide protection against sawdust, plant debris, and other plant matter such as pollen. Make sure the mask doe...

  • Page 10: Operator Safety

    10 repetitive stress injuries (rsi) overuse of the muscles and tendons of the fingers hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness, and pain in these areas. Repetitive hand/wrist movement can put you at high risk for developing a repetitive stress injury (rsi), such as...

  • Page 11: Assembly

    11 after assembly, check your unit to make sure guards, shields, protective devices, and all other parts are properly and securely assembled and working correctly. See the operator’s manual for details about part locations for your unit. • make sure all required hardware has been used and is properl...

  • Page 12: Fueling

    12 important! New locknuts must be used every time blade stiffener is installed, and blade bolt adjustment instructions must be followed exactly. Failure to follow instructions, or to use new locknuts, may damage blades or gearbox and result in rapid blade wear and poor cutting performance. Fueling ...

  • Page 13: Fueling

    13 • never allow flames or sparks near fuel. • always loosen fuel caps slowly to allow pressure in tanks and containers to escape • always use extreme care when mixing, storing, or handling fuel. • never remove tank cap or refuel a unit while the engine is hot or running • never fill fuel tanks indo...

  • Page 14: Fueling

    14 fuel mix warning 2-stroke engine oil contains petroleum distillates and other additives that may be harmful if swallowed. Heated oil can release vapors that can cause flash fire, or ignite with explosive force. Read and follow the oil manufacturer’s instructions, and observe all safety warnings a...

  • Page 15: Starting

    15 starting danger the blades on units that require starting at wide-open throttle (throttle trigger fully depressed) will start moving immediately when the engine starts. To avoid loss of control and serious injury, stay clear of blades, and keep blades away from objects that could become entangled...

  • Page 16: Starting

    16 • always move at least 3 m (10 ft.) away from refueling location before starting engine. • always remove blade cover before starting unit. Keep blade cover nearby, and place cover back on blades when unit is off and blades have stopped. • never start an hca (extended shaft, articulating blade) un...

  • Page 17: Operation

    17 • after the engine has returned to idle and blades have stopped, place the unit on a safe, flat surface, clear of blade obstructions. • keep one hand on the throttle control handle assem- bly to maintain control of the unit, and move the choke control lever to the closed, “cold start” (choke symb...

  • Page 18: Operation

    18 operation the exhaust produced by gasoline-powered equipment is hot, and can cause burns or ignite nearby flammable materials. Never blow engine exhaust against your body or toward flammable materials. The muffler and surrounding area become extremely hot during use, and can cause serious burns i...

  • Page 19: 15 Ft.

    19 • never hold or allow others to hold the material you are cutting. • always keep both hands on the unit to control the cutting action. • always keep the muffler exhaust directed away from your body. • never touch the muffler, muffler cover, or surround- ing area during operation. Allow the unit t...

  • Page 20: Operation

    20 • always use a suitable tool such as a pruner or chain saw to cut branches larger than the hedge clipper's capacity. • never attempt to cut more than 6 inches of length from a hedge or shrub in one cutting pass. Use multiple passes for cleaner, safer cuts, and better control over blade position. ...

  • Page 21: Operation

    21 fuel leaks after the unit has cooled, pour fuel remaining in the tank into an approved fuel container. Purge any fuel left in purge bulb by pressing bulb until it is empty. Pour fuel removed from purge bulb into an approved fuel container, and tighten fuel container cap securely. Tag unit to prev...

  • Page 22: Operation

    22 cutting - shaft hedge clippers echo manufactures two types of extended reach, shaft- mounted hedge clippers to meet the needs of profes- sional landscapers and demanding homeowners. Shaft-mounted hedge clippers (shc models) provide the additional reach needed for trimming tall bushes and ornament...

  • Page 23: Operation

    23 • always operate unit with power head held to the right side of your body. Holding the unit on the left side of your body will allow hot exhaust gases to blow against you and your clothing. • never stand on a ladder or use any other unstable work surface while cutting. Handling a shaft hedge clip...

  • Page 24: Maintenance

    24 if the blades get jammed by a wire or other obstruction and can’t move, the clutch allows the engine to keep running. As soon as the obstruction is removed, the blades are free to start moving again, instantly cutting whatever is left in the path of the blade teeth. To protect yourself from serio...

  • Page 25: Maintenance

    25 • never test for ignition spark by grounding spark plug near cylinder plug hole. A spark could ignite fuel vapor, causing serious injury from explosion or fire. • never use a unit with broken, damaged, missing, or worn parts. Contact your dealer for repairs if problems are found. • never use subs...

  • Page 26: Storage

    26 • always stop unit immediately and correct any problem if unit does not run properly after perform- ing service or maintenance. Operating a unit that has been improperly repaired may result in serious injury. • always have major service performed by a quali- fied service technician. See your echo...

  • Page 27: Electric Hedge Clippers

    27 special precautions for electric hedge clippers danger shock/electrocution hazard.Read, understand, and obey all safety and operating instructions. Failure to follow all instructions can result in serious injury or death from electric shock. Electric hedge clippers expose users to risk of electri...

  • Page 28: Electric Hedge Clippers

    28 hedge clipper recommended minimum awg size for extension cords total cord length 25 feet 50 feet 100 feet 150 feet correct cord gauge 18 awg 16 awg 16 awg 14 awg • always provide a secure connection between hedge clipper power cord and the extension cord being used to provide power. Tie a safety ...

  • Page 29: Electric Hedge Clippers

    29 • never touch the gear housing, blades, or any other metal part on the hedge clipper if the blades have nicked or cut into the power cord. Shut off the power, set the unit down carefully, and disconnect the power cord at the power outlet before freeing the cord from the hedge clipper blades. • al...

  • Page 30: Electric Hedge Clippers

    30 • stop using the unit immediately if the power cords, plugs, receptacles become hot to the touch, if you notice a burning smell, or if you see smoke coming from the power cords or hedge clipper. Turn off the power to the power outlet immediately, and carefully disconnect the power cord. Allow the...

  • Page 31: Definitions

    31 key hedge clipper terms term definition air filter filters air used by the engine for combustion. Keeps dirt and dust out of the engine to help extend engine life. Ansi z87.1 american national standards institute safety standard for safety glasses. Safety glasses and goggles that meet the require...

  • Page 32: Definitions

    32 foot protection heavy-duty footwear that protects the feet from injury. Front handle provides secure support of unit for proper balance and control. Helps reduce operator fatigue. Fuel filter filter element located on end of fuel line. Filters fuel mix before it enters carburetor. Fuel tank conta...

  • Page 33: Definitions

    33 recoil starter handle molded rubber handle attached to starter cord. Used to start engine. Safety glasses eye protection devices that are worn like glasses. Safety goggles eye protection devices that fit flush against the face and cover the complete eye and socket. Single reciprocating blade a he...

  • Page 34: Notes

    34 notes.

  • Page 35: Notes

    35 notes.

  • Page 36

    Echo incorporated 400 oakwood road lake zurich, il 60047 phone: (847) 540-8400 www.Echo-usa.Com printed in usa.